ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to determine the patterns of ocular trauma I among patients presenting at the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria. A 1-year retrospective review was undertaken of all patients presenting with ocular trauma to the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kebbi. Ocular trauma was observed in 89 of 1800 [4.9%] patients I attending the eye clinic during the study period, with 65 [73%] being males and 46 [51.7%] being children aged 0-16 years. Of these 89 cases of trauma, I59 [663%] were caused by blunt and 30 [33.7%] by penetrating injuries, with a majority [61.8%] occurring in the home during weekdays. The greatest numbers of injuries were inflicted by sticks [25.8%] and stones [20.2%]. I Hie cornea was affected in 47.2% of cases. Prior to presentation, 79.8% of patients used eye drops purchased over the counter and 7% used a harmful / traditional eye medication. Sixty per cent presented 1 week after the trauma i took place. At presentation, 33.7% of patients were blind; causes of blindness erecorneal scarring [in 34.5% of blind patients], bullous keratopathy [in 1116%], corneal blood staining [in 10.3%], aphakia [in 6.9%] and retinal I tehment [in 20.7%]. Visual acuity at presentation [P=0.001] correlated with visual acuity at discharge, when the proportion of patients who were I id remained at 32.6% [P=0.002]. A relationship was found between age [P=0.017] and occupation [P=0.000] and the location in which leinjury occurred, but this was not so for sex [P=0.069]. No relationships we found between age [P=0.286], sex [P=0.502] or occupation H.637] and the causes of ocular trauma. Age [P=0.354] and sex N.511] showed no connection with the part of the eye affected; however, tee was an association between the site of the injury and the patient's Ration [P=0.001]. Ocular trauma remains a significant cause of preventable blindness in developing economies. Renewed efforts are required to reduce osttof blindness from ocular trauma, especially among males and among children during school holidays